ARC Review: Lara Adrian’s Edge of Dawn

Right before the holidays I received an ARC copy of Lara Adrian’s upcoming, coveted and next installment in her New York Times bestselling Midnight Breed Series, Edge of Dawn. *squeals with joy*  First, I have to say a big THANK YOU to Lara for sending me the ARC.  I can’t tell you how excited I was to read this book.  If you know nothing about me, know that I am a HUGE fan of anything Adrian, and all things breed.  Don’t believe me? Check out this feed of my blog posts.

In the previous installment, Darker After Midnight, the series almost felt like it was coming to an end.  If you missed this book, check out my review here. In this book, Sterling Chase and the rest of the order defeated Dragos and in doing so, exposed themselves as vampires to the world.  In Edge of Dawn, its twenty years later and humans and the vampires are struggling with co-existing.  I remember when I read the back cover of this book, I was more excited about the characters featured than the plot.  Adrian has such a talent for writing intriguing characters.  If you recall, Mira was the young breedmate and adopted daughter of Nikolai and Renata from Veil of Midnight.  She had these wicked eyes that reflected the future when a person glanced into them—like pools of visions. Pretty cool, huh?  That pesky little talent always caused trouble for Mira and twenty years hasn't changed that.  Now that she's older and wiser with deadly skills and stunning looks, her visions reveal the worst fate imaginable—the death of the love of her life, Kellan.

Without revealing too much, Edge of Dawn was the perfect extension to the series. Adrian immediately entranced me with the new world of breed and humans. Mira, a captain with the Order, is all grown up now (along with other kid characters), and she is bad a**!  But as an adult, she’s angry and still grieving over the loss of her childhood friend and love interest, Kellan.  Believed to be dead for eight years, Kellan has been in hiding, living among the rebel humans. These two were the perfect couple to segue the series into a new era.  Of course there’s a new enemy revealed too, one with ancient ties to both Breed and their mates. I won’t tell you what happens, minions. It wouldn’t be right. 

Edge of Dawn was a 4 for me—no surprise there, huh?  Edge of Dawn releases February 26, 2013 so pre-order your copy today.  If you haven't read the series, you really need to catch up since we're already at book 11. Coincidentally, book 1, Kiss of Midnight (ebook) is on sale on Kindle for 99 cents so download that one too while you can. 

Oh, I almost forgot.  Stay tuned in the coming week.  Along with the ARC, Lara also sent me some swag so it appears I'll be doing a special giveaway, which is perfect timing since I missed my blogoversary.  Wahoo!  

Who doesn't love free sh**?

Mina B.

ARC Review: Lara Adrian's Darker After Midnight

All I have to say is I've been waiting for Harvard's story since Book 2, Kiss of Crimson (my review.)  And it's finally here....Book 11, Darker After Midnight.  Squeak!  Ask and you shall receive.  Seek and you shall find.  Hallelujah, Lara Adrian.  First, I have to say a big thank you to Lara for sending me the ARC.  This is one of my favorite vampire series.  I simply must read all that's breed, dang it!  If you're a fan of Adrian's Midnight Breed vampire series than you know how we "breed" lovers have been patiently waiting (in near-death anticipation) for this book!  I'll do my best not to give away too many spoilers, but there may be some…sorry.

Darker After Midnight...in two words: Breed Armageddon.

If you recall, our breed hero, Sterling Chase, first arrived in Book 2, Kiss of Crimson.  Since then, we faithful readers, have read Chase's slow and painful demise.  Over the course of this series, he's managed to lose his loved ones and the damn near respect of every one of his kind.  As breed, vampire warriors almost always face bloodlust.  That's when you (according to Lara) "fuck, fight or fang" with an insatiable appetite.  And then, of course, you go “rogue.”  Going rogue is about the worst thing for a breed vampire.  Rogues are mindless and live in a constant feeding frenzy.  And poor Chase is on the cusp.  He had been there the last couple of novels, nearly going over the edge in Deeper Than Midnight (my review.)  It's there were he foils Dragos' plot and meets the lovely Tavia Fairchild.

In Darker After Midnight, the Order (Chase's Breed Warrior family) comes to terms with losing their treasured compound.  Chase, however, took one for the team, diverting attention away from the Order and becoming public enemy number one.  While the police end up containing Chase, the Order manages to relocate to another property.  While biding his time in lockup, Chase sees Tavia again.  At first glance, these two appear to be worlds apart.  She's a perfectionist and is the right hand to a prominent US Senator.  Chase, on the other hand, is the nearly rogue vampire warrior.  When Tavia first eyes Chase, she shudders at his unearthliness.  It permeates through his human facade, piercing Tavia's soul.  However different they seem, lo and behold through Adrian's plot reveal we soon find out they are not so different after all.  

So much happens in this book, I don't want to say more than that.  I have to warn you, though.  I've said it before (too many times *sigh*.)  Lara Adrian loves to break her own rules and she's done it again, minions.  Damn it, it's awesome too.  I wasn't sure what to expect having such high expectations for one of my favorite brooding heroes, Chase.  But after reading the book in its entirety, I was more than pleased.  Tavia is a force period.  And Dragos' war against the world - human and breed alike - has finally arrived.  It was nothing like I expected.  On my meter....Darker After Midnight was a 4.  

Stay tuned for my review of Lara Adrian's novella, A Taste of Midnight.

Mina B.

Book Review: Lara Adrian's Deeper Than Midnight

Since last fall, I’ve patiently waited – along with the rest of Lara Adrian’s fans – for Book 9 in the Midnight Breed Warrior series, Deeper Than Midnight.   And boy was this book worth the wait.   I was blessed to receive an ARC copy from Lara and her assistant, Heather, so I want to say THANK YOU so very much. Words cannot describe how grateful I am. *sniffle*


In Book 8, we finished with Brock and Jenna’s story, which in my opinion kept me guessing.  (See my review here.)  If you recall, Dragos kidnapped Kellen Archer and then viscously attacked the Lazaro Darkhaven.  The only survivors were the Gen 1 warrior, Lazaro and his grandson Kellen.   In the chaos of the abominable scene, Lucan –against his better judgment – allowed the two Darkhaven family members entrance and refuge at the Order's compound.   In Deeper Than Midnight, we learn what a HUGE mistake that was.  Want to know more?  Buy the book.

Now, the real juice behind this tale is Hunter and Corrine’s story and then the rest sets the stage for Book 10, Deeper After Midnight.  What's that?  You guessed it, Harvard lovers…Book 10 & Chase’s story. I’ll get to Sterling Chase in a minute. First, let’s talk about Hunter. *pause for a deep sigh*   What’s not to love about him? Just like all the breed warriors, he’s big and lethal but more importantly, he’s HOT! As one of Dragos’s former top assassins, Hunter comes off like a quiet, subdued, calculating warrior that in any given situation, can deduced several ways to kill a being. But what makes me swoon is his affection for the little Mira. It’s too endearing. 

As for his growing attraction to Corrine, it’s no wonder why Hunter’s drawn to her. Both of them suffered deep emotional wounds while being held captive by Dragos. And now that Corrine’s free, she’s introduced back into her old life and uncovers the horrifying truth behind Dragos abducting her. With Hunter’s help, she searches for something Dragos stole from her during her captivity. And she’ll do anything to get it back, even go head-to-head with Hunter. 

This book was dark and I loved it. Hunter and Corrine were so perfect for each other. I adored how Lara connected their stories, building a sensual and beautiful romance that started from great pain and loss. And what made this story even darker was Chase’s unraveling. Holy heck, I can’t wait Book 10.

Lara Adrian’s Deeper Than Midnight is hands down a 4.5. For me, it’s the “bump and set” to her next tale, Deeper After Midnight which I have no doubt will be the ultimate spike. I can’t wait!

Until next time…read anything Breed!

Mina B.

Book Review: Lara Adrian's Taken By Midnight

Today I’m reviewing Book 8 in Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed series, Taken By Midnight. Ooooh, I’ve been waiting for this book, let alone review. I tend to devour everything that’s Lara Adrian and Breed when it comes to paranormal romance. I love this series and just can’t seem to get enough. That being said, I wasn’t over the moon with this book, simply because I was left with more questions than answers. But…I still liked it…a lot. WARNING…there are spoilers. Read on…if you dare.

In Book 7, Shades of Midnight, we first met Jenna Darrow, the ex-cop who was held captive by the Ancient. Keeping her barely alive, he fed off of Jenna, a mere human, taunting her with a merciless question: Choose life or death?

The question had merit, especially for Jenna. It had been four long years since Jenna lost her husband and daughter in a terrible car accident. Four years since her life was transformed into a pit of misery. Unknowingly, Jenna answered yes to that fated question. And from that moment on, the Ancient implanted a piece of himself into Jenna; transforming her into God knows what.

Luckily Jenna’s transformation wasn’t nearly as difficult thanks to Brock. I read other reviews that didn’t appreciate their relationship and felt it lacking. I totally disagree. I liked their chemistry and understood their draw towards one another. Jenna, the control freak, had the insatiable need to control things. Brock, the vampire breed warrior, was gifted with the ability to relieve pain. And the moment he met Jenna in Alaska, he siphoned a monstrous amount of Jenna’s pain and heartache without hesitation.

For Brock, there was a possessive sort of protectiveness when it came to Jenna. As the story unfolded, it revealed more about the Jenna’s new mysterious DNA which left me flummoxed. I honestly had more questions than answers about the two of them which frankly drove me crazy. That being said, I did feel a tinge of regret when they were unable to bond. But…that may be a good thing. I sense – or hope, rather- that on the horizon, Adrian answers the unknown about Jenna and her ever-changing DNA. Dear God, the chick actually has dermaglyphs now.

And as for the plot…it wasn’t as riveting as it has been in the past but I still liked it. The action compelled me to read on – which I loved – and I was left wondering what’s to come. With the Ancient dead and the breedmates freed, what type of diabolical plans will Dragos unleash on the Order? I can’t help but think somehow Sterling Chase is involved but I could be wrong.

I’ve said it several times before; I’m a huge fan of Lara Adrian. She writes delicious vampire tales that catapult me to another world…which is the whole point of reading, isn’t it?

If you’re into vampires, romance and a killer plot, than Adrian’s Midnight Breed series is just for you. If your interest in her other books, see below.

Book 1, Kiss of Midnight (my review) 
Book 2, Kiss of Crimson (my review) 
Book 3, Midnight Awakening (my review)
Book 4, Midnight Rising (my review)
Book 5, Veil of Midnight (my review) 
Book 6, Ashes of Midnight (my review)

On my KilloMeter, I give Lara Adrian’s Taken By Midnight a 4.

Until next time…read something breed, try Taken By Midnight.

Mina B.

A Paranormal Book Review: Lara Adrian's Ashes of Midnight

In Book 6 of Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series, Ashes of Midnight, the hero featured is none other than the beloved breed warrior, Andreas Reichen.

He’s dashing, debonair and sexy as hell which was why I was clamoring with anticipation to read this tale. Adrian’s books are fuel for the reading demons that possess me. I know when all else fails and I can’t find a good paranormal romance book to save my life, I can turn to one of Adrian’s breed warriors to satiate my literary thirst.

Andreas's breed character is a burst of fresh air in this dark paranormal series. On the surface he’s carefree, jovial but deep down; he’s pure breed – which means he’s lethal. I can’t say this enough; I loved Andreas’s character. We first meet Andreas in Book 3, Midnight Awakening – (click here to read my review) – Tegan and the Order seek help from Andreas, the Director of the Berlin Darkhaven. You either like him or love him, there’s no denying it. And then sparks fly in Book 5, Veil of Midnight, transforming Andreas, the once charismatic breed warrior, into a deadly pyromaniac (click here for my review). An old enemy of Andreas resurfaced and attacked his home, killing his family and spinning Andreas out of control.

In Ashes of Midnight, Adrian introduces a past love of Andreas, Claire. She’s been long gone from his life since he abandoned her and she ended up marrying an unworthy breed warrior, Roth. It’s no surprise that Roth turns out to be another evil player in Dragos’s sick game of world/breed domination. With this trio - Andreas, Claire and Roth - Ashes of Midnight makes for some killer reading. What I loved most about this book is Adrian does what she does best; she breaks yet another one of her cardinal rules. If you’re a fan, then you know the bonding ritual between a breed and breedmate is sacred, connecting two beings eternally, irrevocably. But what Andreas does to Claire, after Roth kills his family is delicious and sets reader’s tongues wagging for more. I won’t spoil it. But I will hint...two is company and three is definitely a crowd. You simply must read this book.

On the Mina Burrow’s KilloMeter, I give Ashes of Midnight, a 4.

Until next time….read a Midnight Breed Series already.

Mina B.

A Paranormal Book Review: Lara Adrian’s Veil of Midnight

Book 5 of Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series is Veil of Midnight. This book features Russian born, Nikolai, a fierce, adrenaline-junkie vampire breed warrior assigned to warn Gen 1, Sergio Yakut about assassination attempts on all Gen 1 warriors. While traipsing through Montreal night clubs, investigating the whereabouts of the reclusive Sergio, Nikolai is attacked by Sergio’s thugs and meets the lovely but lethal breed mate female, Renata.

Renata yields a deadly power that can momentarily cripple breed warriors. When Nikolai first meets the female, he’s impressed with her militant tactics, her sword fighting ability and ice-cold demeanor. To Nikolai, she’s a sexy, young vixen; tough enough to match his lust for titanium steel, hand-to-hand combat and best of all, love.

Despite a recent assassin attempt on his life, Sergio dismisses Nikolai and the Order’s help. But in good faith, Sergio mistakenly allows Nikolai to conduct an investigation on his secluded property. Once onsite, Nikolai was horrified by what he uncovers. The story began here and continued down a rabbit hole of lies, back-stabbing and murder. Adrian methodically integrated Sergio’s sadistic world into ongoing plot of the puppet master, Dragos and his breeding toy, the Ancient.
The clincher for me with this book was the intro of two other characters. First, Mira, a young psychic girl and then Hunter, Dragos’s enslaved breed warrior assigned to kill Sergio. Between these new killer characters, and the growing lust between Nikolai and Renata, Adrian had the makings of yet another classic paranormal thriller.

On the Mina Burrows KilloMeter, Veil of Midnight is a 4. Don’t miss out on Lara Adrian’s killer Midnight Breed Series.

Until next time…read about the breed.
Mina B.

Paranormal Book Review: Lara Adrian's Midnight Rising

And now on to Book 4 of Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed series…Midnight Rising. This spectacular read features the beloved Spaniard, Eleuteriode las Noche Atanacio, a.k.a. Rio. If you haven’t read the series, you really should. Book 1, Kiss of Midnight has a sub plot about Rio and the betrayal of his breedmate, Eva. (Click here to see my review.)  Through a horrific explosion, partly orchestrated by Eva, Rio was left nearly dead in Book 1. And to top it off, Rio disowned Eva, causing her to kill herself seconds later. The explosion left Rio marred with both emotional and physical scars. He then rehabilitates to no avail, leaving him feeling hopeless. After months with little progress, Rio decides to entomb himself in the Ancient's cave in hopes of ridding himself of his tormenting memories.

Dylan Alexander, a new breedmate in the series, was lured to that hidden cave by Eva’s ghostly apparition. Stepping into the Ancient’s tomb, Dylan unknowingly woke Rio in a depressive slumber, ruining his plans to end his existence (and saving his life). As a journalist working for a spotty publication, she snapped a few photos of an empty stone coffin along with some creepy tribal inscriptions. From that point on, she compromised the Order’s mission and became Rio’s number one problem that he had to contain.
For Rio, Dylan inspired feelings of lust and worse, love. Before his accident, Rio was the handsome, suave, charismatic Rio and afterwards, the vampire breed warrior saw himself as a true monster. Was a monster like Rio deserving of a beauty like Dylan? Hell yeah he was. The story also continued on the plot with latest evil puppet master, Dragos. Among other things, he’s controlling the Ancient and has been for the last 50 years. While the Order fights to uncover where Dragos has taken the Ancient, Dylan becomes a critical asset to the breed warrior’s mission.

This was such a great continuation of the series. Once again, Lara pores such depth and drama into her lovable characters you’d swear they’re real. Okay, not real per sa, but real enough for one to identify with their personal tragedies or obstacles. And every time Rio gave his Christian expletives, I cracked up… “Madre de Dios" or "Cristo.” Frick’n hilarious.

On the Mina Burrows KilloMeter, I give Midnight Rising a 4.

Until next time…looking for something to read?…Try Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series.

Mina B.

Paranormal Book Review: Lara Adrian’s Midnight Awakening

Book 3 in the Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed Series is Midnight Awakening.  I’ve now reviewed four of her books, and I plan on continuing on getting through all seven within the next several posts. First off, let me inform all my readers, if you don’t know by now, I love Lara Adrian. She’s such a phenomenal writer that I actually wish I had one of those killer breed warriors knocking on my door. If you haven’t the faintest what I’m talking about then get yourself a copy of Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series. I’d personally start with Book 1, Kiss of Midnight, but hey, that’s the way I roll.

Okay, so like I stated in this earlier post, Kiss of Crimson and Midnight Awakening are my favs within the Midnight Breed Series. Midnight Awakening, Book 3 in the series opens with young, widowed breedmate, Elise. She’s the former wife of Quentin, Deputy Director for one of the Darkhavens (which is a political organization within the Breed). She’s paired up with Tegan, a cold, fearless Gen one vampire breed warrior. And the two dance a titillating, seductive romance that will literally heat you up.  Warning:  You may need a cold shower or a glass of ice water - whatever your poisen, you'll need it when reading this book...I promise. If I’d have to pick a favorite vampire breed warrior… it’d be Tegan.

Here’s the back story first:

In Book 2, Kiss of Crimson, we get a glimpse of Elise who’s still grieving for the loss of her dead husband. She's living in a local Darkhaven residence with her teenage son, Camden, and under the protection of her brother-in-law, Sterling Chase. When Camden disappears, Sterling and Elise seek the Order’s help. Sterling begins training and patrolling with the Order and is paired up with Dante – hoping to find Camden. Once Camden is found, it’s discovered he’s gone rogue; a result of ingesting the powerful drug Crimson. When Camden tries to attack his mother, Elise, Sterling kills him and shatters Elise’s world completely. Tegan befriends Elise in Book 2 and that’s when their world wind romance begins.

In Book 3, Midnight Awakening, Elise, now completely broken, leaves the safety of the Darkhaven and decides to live among the humans. Her only problem is she’s gifted (or cursed) with hearing evil thoughts of demented humans, minions in particular. These voices vibrate something awful in her brain, at times making her world crumble. Since living topside, she’s began playing in the dark war, fighting and many times killing any minion she can - all to avenge her Sweet Camden’s life. Tegan comes across the lovely breedmate one night hunting rogues. He follows her scent and uncovers her plight and meager surroundings. The intense couple, dance around their attraction to each other. At every turn, one will taunt, ridicule even dare the other to take their relationship to the next level. Their sensual relationship makes for such an enticing love story, and that’s only the romance side of the book. Adrian also brilliantly weaves in a killer plot filled with the narcissistic/diabolical Marek, a new player, Dragos and of course, the pinnacle to the storyline; a beast called the Ancient.

This book was so damn good that it’s now part of my Mina Burrows – Mystic Minds Classic Collection. What’s that? It's a part of my treasured book collection; one of the few I will always turn to for inspiration and read over and over again. Lara Adrian once again killed it for me, slashing it off the pages. On the Mina Burrows KilloMeter, I give Midnight Awakening a 5.

Until next time….read, and then repeat as needed.

Mina B.

Paranormal Book Review: Lara Adrian's Kiss of Crimson

On the heels of my previous entry, I’m reviewing Book 2 in Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series, Kiss of Crimson.  In my last blog, I reviewed Kiss of Midnight, Book 1 in the series which features the romantic, suspenseful tale of the Order’s leader, Lucan Thorne, and his breedmate, Gabrielle Maxwell. In this book, we get a glimpse of several other breed warrior vampires like, Dante, Tegan, Rio, etc... And each are alluring characters, which have hints of turmoil in their immortal lives – ones which make us readers beg to know more.

With the knowledge from Book 1, Kiss of Midnight, we know that the breed vampire warriors are able to mate with human females that bare a birthmark of a crescent moon and star. These breedmate women are powerful woman, who usually don’t know they’re breedmates. Breed warriors and breedmates can bond together and live an immortal life. They bond by a sacred ritual known as a blood bond. The ritual is conducted when a breed warrior takes the blood of a breedmate and then vice verses. The blood bond connects the two irrevocably until one mate dies. It’s a bond deeper than any mortal marriage as truly is forever.

For Book 2, Kiss of Crimson, Adrian chooses breed warrior Dante to be the hero and thank god she did. The first few chapters blew me away...seriously. While out on patrol one night in the streets on Boston, Dante is ambushed by rogue vampires. Almost blown to pieces, Dante suffers from gunshot wounds, burns, a concussion etc… and nearly loses his immortal life. After jumping in the river and floating down stream, he comes across an animal clinic where he seeks refuge. While waiting in a back storage room at the clinic, Dante is discovered by the owner, Tess Culver. She’s terrified at the gruesome scene of Dante, beaten, bloodied, and barely coherent.

What’s so great about Kiss of Crimson is Dante, during this perilous time, bites Tess to save his life and after taking her blood, moments later; he finds out that she’s a breedmate. And now half of the blood bond ritual is complete. I’ve said it before and it bears repeating, Lara Adrian is a master at storytelling. In Book 1, she defines the rules of being a vampire breed warrior, breedmates, the sanctity of blood bonding and everything that goes with it. And just like that…poof, she breaks her own rule.

Dante doesn’t know Tess is a breedmate but once he’s takes her blood, he not only senses her through their blood bond, but he’s smitten. Poor Tess hasn’t a clue about Dante, but she can’t help feel an eerie attraction to a man she hardly knows. It doesn’t hurt that Tess sees Dante as a huge, gorgeous, Italian man with a menacing yet seductive presence. Can you say double yum? I promise he’s as delicious as he sounds. What I’ve highlighted here is only 2 maybe 3 chapters. This entire book is mesmerizing, riveting from every angle starting with Dante & Tess’s untimely introduction, to a drug called Crimson which is being mass produced by an evil, diabolical breed warrior, Mareck (Lucan’s bother). The drug is terrorizing the breed community as its turning innocent breed vampires into blood lusting rogues.

Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series is the bomb. And in my opinion, Kiss of Crimson is the book that catapults the series into the best-selling stratosphere. On the Mina Burrows KilloMeter, I give this book a 5. Yes, a five. That’s how much I loved it and it’s a testament to how much I adore Adrian.

Until next time…read Kiss of Crimson.

Mina B.

Paranormal Book Review: Lara Adrian’s Kiss of Midnight

Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series all started with Kiss of Midnight. My friend, Sandra, told me about these books last year. At the time, I'dnever heard of Lara Adrian but I decided to take a chance. I read the sample chapters on my iPhone and needless to say, I was instantaneoulsy hooked.

Gabrielle Maxwell is an up in coming photographer who on a night with her friends witnesses a bloody murder outside a mysterious club. The attackers were mad, deranged in some strange way. As she followed them down the alleyway, in her horror, she pulled out her cell phone and snapped several images of the feral beasts. The attackers were startled and Gabrielle ran like hell. Like a good citizen, doing her civic duty, she reports the crime to the police and is quickly dismissed as a lunatic.  That night, Lucan Thorne, the leader of the Breed Warriors, was outside that club, watching the rogue vampires terrorize their prey. He’d been observing them inside the club, where he first noticed Gabrielle, and then stalked them all outside. Lucan starred at Gabrielle incredulously as she followed the vampires.  She, in return was unaware of the danger or the fact she was being watched. Once she captures the deadly images and dashes away, she gave Lucan the advantage to swiftly execute the deadly rogues.

Lucan is intrigued by the female, but duty comes first and he needs to confiscate the pictures she took. In an attempt to recover the images and erase her memory, Lucan is love struck by the woman, who turns out to be a breedmate.

Lucan is breed, a hybrid alien species, which lives off of blood, human blood. To be breed is to be lethal. But there is a softer side to these warriors - one that us readers adore. They live their immortal lives with honor, code and above all love. Lara Adrian masterfully introduces a unique interpretation of a vampire. These breed warriors take mates, a special human female born with a rare birthmark, a special psychic gift and the ability to sustain an immortal life with the vampire breed. Once Lucan investigates Gabrielle, he’s intrigued to the point of lusting after her. That is until he finds out she’s a breedmate. He tries to put the brakes on the romance but soon finds himself too far gone with overwhelming admiration and a primal need to love and protect the female.

Adrian brilliantly weaves a meticulous plot into this paranormal love story. It has action, sex, betrayal, and introduces more lovable breed warrior characters (yum). Best of all, she gives us a happy ending for our hero and heroine – which is what everybody wants nowadays, right? Damn straight. I cannot tell you enough how much I love this series and how much I worship Lara Adrian.

On the Mina Burrows KilloMeter, I give Kiss of Midnight a 4. If you’re gonna read this series at all, you have to start here first. I’m seven books in so far. Check out my review for the most recent book in the series, Shades of Midnight.

Until next time…if you’re looking for a book, a must read would be Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series.

Mina B.

Book Review: Lara Adrian’s Shades of Midnight

As a lover of paranormal romance books, I wanted to post about one of my favorite authors, Lara Adrian.   Her Midnight Breed Series about alien hybrid vampires is both thrilling and suspenseful, to say the least. What I like most like about the vampire warriors - deemed, The Breed - is they are manly, rugged men. Not at all sissy, pretty or elegant, like many vampire male characters, but raw, unadulterated, gorgeous, gloriously depicted men….just the way we like them.

To be honest, when I read the book 1, Kiss of Midnight, I wasn’t necessarily hooked, . But, I read it nonetheless. By book 2, Kiss of Crimson, however, I was hooked and then some. There are a total of seven books to date. And what I like best about Adrian is how she masterfully defined the rules around being a Breed Warrior, and then magically breaks all her own rules with her riveting plots. Sheer genius. I can’t say it enough about the critical need for stellar plotting. As a writer, often, I’ve sat for hours, even days/months contemplating characters, schemes, dialogue and so forth, all in an effort to weave together a successful novel. And Lara Adrian kills it nearly every time.

If you’ve not had a chance to read the series, I have only one suggestion. Run to your nearest book store, library, Barnes&Nobles, Amazon, download it on your Kindle – whatever you got to do and read them all. You’ll get sucked in a matter of days, like I did. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but still they’re brilliant books, for real.

On another note, the real reason for this post it to do a quick review of Book 7, Shades of Midnight.

A continuation of the midnight breed series Shades of Midnight features Kade, one of the breed warriors who is sent on a mission to Alaska, near a place he once called home. While investigating a bludgeoned massacre in a small town, he meets a mysterious breedmate whose captivating presence provokes a desirous, wanton relationship.  As their relationship blossoms, he’s inspired to covet and protect the innocent female and contemplate her as his own.

During his investigation, he uncovers Dragos’s mining fortress and the reason behind the deadly pillaging that occurred in the small Alaskan town. That reason is…the Ancient. He’s hungry, of course, and wreaking havoc in a murderous fashion trying to satiate his blood lust. I loved the way Adrian portrayed the human side of the Ancient in this book. It’s definitely intriguing and makes us fans want more.

Although this book was not my favorite, (my favorite being Kiss of Crimson & Midnight Awakening) it’s still Lara Adrian and the Breed. 

I highly recommend all to read and reflect and repeat as needed.

Mina B.